Window shade support



July 7, 1942 H. ENGERT v WINDOWSHADE SUPPORT v Filed Jan. 6,' 1941 www Mum*

Patented July 7, 1942 UNITED STATES TENT GFFI'CE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a window shade support and has special reference to a bracket for supporting a window shade roller and a shield, the shield concealing a roller or rollers from view and preventing the transmission of light above a roller or between the rollers.

More particularly, this invention has reference to a bracket for supporting a window shade roller comprising a plate adapted to be attached to a window stop and a latch movably supported on the plate, the plate having an open slot for receiving the shaft of the Window shade roller and the latch removably closing the opening to the slot. The invention also has reference to the provision of means in the latch for supporting the shield whereby longitudinally slidably movement of the latch relative to the plate locks the shield against accidental displacement therefrom.

The bracket' of the present invention is for attachment to the window stop and because of its attachment thereto may be universally applied to various types of window frames. In this connection brackets heretofore used for supporting window shade rollers have been attached to the frames proper which make them impractical for use on double windows in many if not most instances. In the present invention double windows as well as single windows each have stops for guiding the Window sash and therefore the brackets of the present invention may be universally used. Also, as will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out, while a pair of brackets are employed for supporting one or more window shade rollers the same vbracket may be used at either end of the rollers or rollers, wherefore there is no necessity for having right and left hand brackets.

The brackets of the present invention perform the double function of supporting window shade rollers and shields. Where a plurality ofv shades are supported centrally of the vertical direction of the window, the shield acts to conceal the rollers and also to prevent the transmission of light therebetween. However, where the brackets support a single window shade roller at the top of the window, then the brackets may be angularly disposed for receiving a shield which latter may act to conceal the window shade roller and to prevent the transmission of light thereabove as well as to act as a ventilator for directing airl from a lowered window. In either instance of use, that is, whether the brackets are installed centrally of the vertical direction of the window or at the upper end of the window, the opening of the window either from above or below will not cause a napping of the window shade and the shield will act to prevent transmission of light and to conceal the window shade roller from sight. Y

Each of the brackets is provided with an open slot into which a shaft on one end of the roller is engaged and a polygonal aperture into which the shaft at the other end of the-roller is engaged, a polygonal aperture andan open slot being provided on each bracket in an opposite superposed relation. In one bracket the polygonal aperture is above the open slot and in the other bracket this relation is reversed. The open slot is removably closed by a latch which has lateral movement with respect to a plate in which the slot is provided. By reason of this construction the spring of the shade roller may be wound after the insertion of the roller or one end thereof' into the brackets. In current commercial constructions the spring shaft of the roller is wound prior to 'insertion thereof into position between the brackets. The present invention contemplates the insertion of the polygonal ended spring shaft of the window shade roller into its correspondingly shaped polygonal aperture in one of the brackets whereafter the window shade roller is rotated to wind the spring beforepassing through the open slot of the plate in position to be held by the laterally movable latch. Thus a window shade roller is held positively in the brackets as compared to constructions now' on the market where one end of the window shade roller is held in an open slot of a supporting bracket;

The latch is preferably provided with an open slot which overlies aside edge of the plate for eX- tension' in a direction parallel thereto, the open slot of a pair of'such brackets receiving and supporting the shield. Pins extend from the plate for engaging closedV slots in the latch, the closed slots extending in a direction angularly to the direction of the'open slot in the latch so that slidable movement of the latch in one direction wedges the shield against an e'dge of the plate thereby to lock'the shield against accidental displacement' therefrom.

The pinsV extending from' the plate of the bracket areprovided with resilient means' in the form of compression springs' so that' .the latch has' not only slidab'le engagement` in al general longitudinal direction butalso has lateral movement so that'. the shaft of the window shade roller maybe removed out of the. slot-in' the plate and the shield may be removed out ofthe openslot of the latch without movement of either shield or window shade in a vertical direction. Such operation may be performed by movement of the latch within the confines of the width of the window stop.

4One of the objects of this invention is to provide a bracket for supporting a window shade roller of the character above described in which the Window shade roller is held positively in position between 'a pair thereof, yin which the window shade may be simply and conveniently removed, and in which the spring of the window shade roller may be wound after insertion of the spring shaft into one of the brackets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bracket for supporting a window shade roller and shield of the character .indicated above in which the shield acts as a light strip for preventing the transmission of light between the rollers and to conceal the rollers, the shield also being selectively employed as a ventilator when the brackets are disposed at the upper end of the window.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bracket for supporting a window shade roller and shield of the type hereinabove noted in which the shield and rollers may be removed directly outwardly therefrom by lateral movement of the independent members of the bracket It is a still further object of this invention to provide a bracket for supporting a window shade roller and shield of the type hereinabove noted wherein the brackets may be attached directly to the window stop of the window frame, the brackets operating within the confines of the width of the window stop.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and, for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a window frame to which the window shade support of the present invention is applied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 with the shield and window shade roller being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of Fig. 2 with the window shade roller being shown fragmentarily in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 showing a changed position of the relatively movable elements thereof;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a changed position of the relatively movable elements thereof;

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 6 showing a changed position of the relatively movable elements thereof; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a changed position of the bracket incorporating the features of this invention, the bracket being shown at the upper end of a Window frame with the shield of the bracket acting as a ventilator.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the construction therein shown as embodying the features of this invention is applied to a window frame IU having vertically extending stops II secured to the inner side edges thereof for guiding the vertical movement of the window aaeaeee sash I2. The bracket embodying the features of this invention is mounted directly on the window stop I I and comprises a plate I3 having vertically aligned apertures through which the shanks of screws I4 extend for engagement in the window stop I I. The position of the plate I3 with respect to the stop II is predetermined by lugs I5 which are cut and formed from the material of the plate I3 to extend angularly therefrom and to engage an edge of the stop II.

A latch IS is movably supported on the plate I3, the latch having an open slot I'I adjacent to and extending in the direction of a side edge of the plate I3 for receiving and for supporting a shield I8 in position to conceal window shade rollers I9 and 29. The open slot I'I of the latch I6 overlies the edge of the plate and the shield is initially inserted thereinto in its full open position as shown more particularly in Fig. 2, the latch being movable in a general longitudinal direction to wedge the shield I8 against the side edge of the plate I3, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4, to lock the shield against accidental displacement therefrom.

In order to obtain the wedging action above referred to, the latch is provided with a pair of closed slots 2I and 22, the slots extending angularly to the edge of the plate I3 and to the open slot of the latch to receive pins 23 and 24, respectively, extending from and fixed to the plate I3. The pins 23 and 24 are slidably engaged in the slots 2I and 22, respectively, and guide the latch during its movement relative to the plate I3 in a manner to enlarge and reduce the width of the slot I1 in its co-operation with the edge of the plate I3. The shield IS, disposed in the slot I'I as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, is locked against accidental displacement therefrom by moving the latch IB downwardly to a position shown in Fig. 4 where the exposed edge of the slot Il moves inwardly toward the edge of the plate I3 as directed by the relatively angularly extending slots 2| and 22 to urge the shield I8 against the edge of the plate I3.

The ends of the pins 23 and 24 are provided with enlarged heads 25 and 26, respectively, against which one end of a coil spring 2'I rests, the coil spring surrounding the pins and having the other end thereof resting against a washer 28 disposed between it and the rear face of the latch IG. Since the pins 23 and 24 are fixed to the plate I3, the compression springs 21 urge the latch in frictional engagement with the rear face of the plate I3. The heads 25 and 26, being spaced from the plate I3 substantially the width of the stop II, permit lateral movement of the latch with respect to the plate against the compression of the springs 2l. The latch I6, therefore, has lateral as well as substantially longitudinal movement with respect to the plate I3.

The plate I3 is provided with a polygonal aperture 29 for receiving the spring shaft of polygonal cross section extending from the end of the window shade roller. The plate I3 is also provided with an open slot 36, the inner end of which preferably is in vertical alignment with the polygonal aperture 29, the slot opening into the edge of the plate which co-operates with the slots I'I of the latch to lock the shield in position with respect to the bracket. The plate engaging portion of the latch I6 normally overlies the open slot in a majority of its length and closes the opening to the slot.

When it is desired to insert the shaft of the window shade roller into the slo-t of the bracket to be held yin a rotatably supported relation to the vplate I3, the latch -H is moved laterally with respect to the plate I3 against the compression of the spring 21 as shown more particularly in Fig. 5 so that the latch clears the end ofthe shaft 3| of the roller 30. That end of the window shade roller Y2E! i-s thereafter moved outwardly from the bracket andthe window shade removed by moving the roller in an axial direction away' from the co-operating bracket on the stop of the other side of the window frame, the latter end being provided with `the polygonal spring shaft. With reference tothe upper window shade lroller I9, the latch on the bracket disposed on the stop of the opposite window frame is moved outwardly to permit the removal of vthe shaft therefor, the latch being tilted at the upper end instead of at the lower end as shown in Fig. 5. The elongated slot in the `instance of thelco-operating opposite bracket is disposed at the upper portion of the plate I3 instead of at the lower portion as is shown in the drawing, the plate of the lbracket being inverted.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawing, it will be noted that lthe shield I8 is shown first in a locked condition and then in a removable condition with the latch I5 being initially in a normal condition and then in a compressed condition so that the shield need not be lifted upwardly out of the slot I'I of the latch but may be removed in a forward direction. In some instances the shield may be in a position where a lifting upwardly thereof would engage a portion of the window sash or cross bar of a window frame which would prevent its removal. the latch is laterally removable with respect to the plate as in the present instance the shield may be removed merely by moving it forwardly after the latch has been moved laterally against the compression of the spring 2'I.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 8 of the drawing the bracket is shown as being disposed on the stop II at the upper end of the window frame, the plate I3 being disposed at an angle to the vertical. The screw I4 in the bottom aperture of the plate I3 acts as a pivot for the plate I3 in the movement of the plate to its angular position with the screw I4 next above being removed from the aperture shown in the previous embodiment and disposed through the slot 32 for engagement with the stop II. The bracket in this position supports a single window shade roller, the shade of which is pulled downwardly. In the previous embodiment the shades of the respective rollers I9 and 20 are moved in an opposite direction from a central point, one extending upwardly and the other downwardly. However, the same elTect so far as concerns the flapping of the shades due to the ventilation of the room may be effected in either instance. The path of air through the lowered window I2 in Fig. 8 is shown by the arrows, the shield I8 directing the course of the air as is usual with ventilator constructions and concealing the window shade roller from view. In the previous embodime-nt illustrated, for example, in Fig. 1, the shield I8 while not acting as a ventilator, does serve to conceal the two window shade rollers I9 and as well as to prevent transmission of light between the rollers.

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that vari-ous modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be Where limited -by the scope Aof the vprio-r -art and the appended claims.

`1. A bracket Vfor supporting a window shade roller comprising a plate adapted to -be vattached to a window stop, a plurality of spaced stud shafts 'fixed to said plate and extending laterally thereof and a latch supported on said stud shafts for movement in the direction of the axis thereof,- said plate having an open slot for receiving lthe shaft of said window shade roller and said latch removably closing theopening to said slot.

2. A vbracket for supporting a window shade roller comprising Va plate adapted to be attached to a window sto'p, a plurality of rspaced stud shaftsrfixed lto said plate and extending laterally hereof,` Y`a latch "movably supported on said stud shafts, said plate having an open slot for receiving the shaft of said window shade roller, and .a spring on at least one of-said studshafts for urging 'said latch against said plate Yfor removably closing the opening to said slot.

3. A-bracket for supporting a window shade roller and shield comprising a 'plate adapted to be attached to-.a window stop, a latch having closed guide slots and also having an open slot adjacent to and extending in the direction of a side edge of said plate for receiving vand for supporting said shield in position to conceal said shade, and pins extending from said plate for en,- gaging said closed slotsin said latch, said closed -slots extending angularly 'to the directionr of l.said open sl'ot for directing slidable movement of said latch to lock said shield against accidental displacement therefrom.

4. A bracket for supporting a window shade roller and shield comprising a plate adapted to be attached to a window stop, a latch having closed guide slots and also having an open slot overlying an edge of said plate and extending in a direction parallel thereto for receiving and for supporting said shield in position to conceal said shade, and pins extending from said plate for engaging said closed slots in said latch, said closed slots extending angularly to the direction of said open slot for directing a wedging action of said shield against the edge of said plate to lock said shield against accidental displacement therefrom.

5. A bracket for supporting a window shade roller and shield comprising a plate adapted to be attached to a window stop and having an opening to retain the pintle of a shade roller, a latch for supporting said shield in position to conceal said shade and lock said pintle in said opening, said length having closed guide slots therein, pins extending from said plate through said closed slots in said latch to direct relative slidable movement of said plate and latch to lock said shield therebetween, and means associated with each of said pins for resiliently holding said latch against said plate but permitting movement to release said shield and said pintle.

6. A bracket for supporting a window shade roller and shield comprising a plate adapted to be attached to a window stop, said plate having an open slot for receiving the shaft of said window shade roller, a latch for supporting said shield in position to conceal said shade and to retain said shaft in said slot, said length having closed guide slots therein, pins extending from said plate through said closed slots in said latch to direct relative slidable movement of said plate and latch to lock said shield and roller shaft against accidental displacement therefrom, and spring means associated with each of said pins for resiliently holding said latch against said plate but permitting sliding movement to release said shield and lateral movement to release said roller shaft.

7. A window shade fixture comprising a bracket including a plate having an open end slot to receive the pintle of a shade roller, a latch plate, and resilient means to normally hold said latch plate against the side of said bracket plate to close the entrance portion of said slot and to enable lateral movement of said latch plate against the resistance of said resilient means to permit the insertion of said pintle.

8. A Window shade xture comprising a bracket including a plate having an open end slot to receive the pintle of a shade roller, a latch plate, and resilient means to normally hold said latch plate against the side of said bracket plate to close the entrance portion of said slot and to enable lateral movement of said latch plate against the resistance of said resilient means to permit the insertion of said pintle, said plates having interengaging guide portions adapted to retain all of said elements in assembled relation while permitting relative movement thereof.

9. A bracket for the usual window shade roller comprising a plate having a slot opening from one edge to receive the shaft of said shade roller, a latch having a surface normally pressed against the outer side of said plate and overlapping the open end of said slot, and resilient means to retain said latch against said plate,

said latch being laterally movable against the resistance of said resilient means to open said slot and enable the passage of said roller shaft therethrough in the usual manner.

10. A window shade bracket including an outwardly extending bracket plate having one or more bearing openings for the pintle of the usual shade roller, a shield support mounted on said plate for angular sliding movement relative thereto, a shade roller shield removably mounted on said support so that when said support is angularly moved in one direction said shield is clamped against said bracket plate and when said support is moved in the other direction said shield is released.

11. A shade roller bracket comprising a plate having openings adapted to receive fastening de vices to secure said plate against the face of a window stop to project laterally therefrom, said plate having a pair of projections spaced on opposite sides of the horizontal central plane of said plate to engage the side of said stop to rigidly align said plate, said plate being also provided with an opening for a fastening device to angularly secure said plate to said stop With said projections engaging the side thereof to determine the angular position of said plaie, said plate having an open end slot to support a shade roller, a latch movably mounted on said plate to releasably retain the pintle of said shade roller in said slot, and a shade roller shield demountably supported on said latch.

HARRY ENGERT.

CERTIFICATE CE CORRECTION. A Patent No. 2,289,255. July 7, I9LI2.

HARRY ENCERT.

It is hereby Certified that error appears in the printed spe Cif'icaton of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page l, first Column, line 56, for "rollers or read --roller or page 5,. second column', line 57, claim 5, and line 7l, Claim 6, for "length" read --latCh---gv and that the said Letters Patent should be read with. this Correction therein that the same may Conform to the vrecord of the Case inthe Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of August, A. D. 1914.2.

Henry Van Arsdale., (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

